ST. MARY DE CRYPT,

Called also Christ Church, and St. Mary in the South,

Is situate in the south west part of the town, comprehending great part of the Southgate-street, and bounded on the east and part of the south by the old city wall. The name was given from the vaults or charnel house which are under.

In this parish are situate the Grey Friers, to the east of the church; Crypt Free Grammar School, adjoining to the church; and the Black Friers, on the west of the Southgate-street.

Almost opposite to the school is a good old house, the residence of Judge Powell at the beginning of last century, and late of Robert Raikes, Esq. a character justly esteemed for the philanthropy and zeal with which he brought forward and fostered the plan of Sunday schools for the education of poor children. He is grandson of the Rev. Robert Raikes, minister of Beford, in Holdernesse, Yorkshire.

In 1562 there were 71 householders in this parish, (about 355 inhabitants); in 1710 there were 155 houses and about 700 inhabitants, (including All Saints and St. Owen's): in

1743, in this parish only 109 households, and 495 inhabitants; and in 1800 the numbers were, (including All Saints) 117 houses, 140 families, and 672 inhabitants.

The benefice is a Rectory, in the patronage of the King, and Joseph Baylis, A.M. is the present incumbent.

The advowson was given to the Priory of Lanthony in 1137, by Robert Chichester, Bishop of Exon, the builder of the church; to the gift were annexed all the profits, except a pension of 20s. to the nunnery of Godstow, county of Oxford. The following records are found in P. N. Taxation:

Ecclia be. Marie de Austro

5 0

1 00

Pret, h. porcio Prior Lanthon. in pecun. 0 30 Pret. h. porcio Abbisse de Godestowe All Saints and St. Owen's were united to this church by an ordinance of Parliament during the interregnum, and one of the prebendal houses, with an annuity of 801. settled for the Rectory: this union was dissolved on the restoration, and the parishes separated; but in 1664 the parish of All Saints was again, consolidated with St, Mary de Crypt, by decree of Bishop Nicholson,...

The revenues of the Rectory arise from the rent of part of the old Black Horse Inn, and a house at the corner of the lane leading to the Black Friers, and the voluntary subscriptions of the inhabitants.

The Harleian Valor rates it at 141. 7s. 10d.

In the King's books (discharged) 141. 7s. Id.

The church, consisting of a nave and two transepts, is a fine specimen of pointed architecture of the 14th century; the tower is battlemented and finished with four pinnacles ornamented with crockets; the east window is divided into various compartments, over which is a small image, probably of the founder. In the east wall still remains the indent made by a cannon ball from the royal artillery during

で

the siege. Prior to the erection of the present, there was a church on this spot, built about 1137, by Robert Chichester, Bishop of Exon, and given by him to the priory of Lanthony; and in the western front, part of the old Saxon arch with billeted mouldings is still to be seen. The whole has lately been repaired and fitted up in a style that does credit to the zeal and good taste of the inhabitants. It has a clock and a fine peal of eight bells...

In this church, there were, 1st. a chantry dedicated to St. Mary, to which Richard Manchester was a great benefactor in 1474. 2. A chantry on the south part of the church, dedicated to St. John Baptist, to which Manchester likewise contributed. 3. A chantry dedicated to St. Katherine, the lands of which lying in Lidney, county of Glocester, and Ripple and Naunton, county of Worcester, were sold to Sir Thomas Bell and Richard Duke, Esq. Aug. 17, 1549., 4. A fraternity dedicated to St. Thomas. 5. An anniversary, some of the possessions of which were sold to the same persons. 6. A yearly obit on Sept. 13, for Alderman John Cook, his father, mother, wife, and others, mentioned in the will of Dame Joan Cook, 1544, by whom it was founded. This parish sends five guardians to the workhouse...

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ALL SAINTS, OR ALL HALLOWS,

Is a small parish, situate in the centre of the city. By an ordinance of Parliament in 1648, it was united to St. Mary de Crypt, and in 1664, under Bishop Nicholson, the union was legally confirmed, so that now in every respect it is incorporated with that parish.

The old church, which consisted of one aile with a chan cel, was converted into the Tholsey, or place of public judicature; on which account the corporation pay annually 21. 13s. towards repairing the church of St. Mary de Crypt.

In P. N. tax. is the following record, "Portio Prior Lanthon. in Ecclia omn. Scorum ol. 28. Od.

In the valuation of Hen. VIII. Rectoria omnium Sanctorum valet clare in decimis et oblationibus, ultra 12 den. pro senagio, 2 sol. pensionem priori et conventui Lanthoniæ, 8 den. episcopo pro visitatione, 12 sol. pro vino, cera, et pane, annudtim solutos, 6l. 13s. 6d. ob.

In the Harleian Valor, the church is rated at 71. Is.

There was a chantry dedicated to St. Mary, and another service called the feoffees service.

ST. OWEN'S

Is a small parish, adjoining to Crypt on the south, and is bounded by the city stone. During the interregnum in 1646, it was united to St. Mary de Crypt; but separated at the restoration, and has continued so ever since, though it is so far considered as still annexed, that the Rector of St. Mary de Crypt performs the parochial duties; and baptisms, marriages, and deaths, are registered there.

The benefice was a Vicarage, and was given by Earl Milo, with its appurtenances, to the Priory of Lanthony. It was taxed at thirteen marks 19 Ed. I.

The church, which stood on the west side, a little without southgate, was burnt down by the citizens, with the rest of the suburbs, at the siege, immediately after the messengers from the city had returned their answer to the King's summons, August 10, 1643. On the site, or near to it, a meeting-house was built, in 1730. The number of households in 1562, was 93. In 1743, there were 65 houses and 186 inhabitants; and in 1800, the number was 58 houses, 274 inhabitants.

One guardian is elected for the workhouse.

Or, St. Mary before the Gate of St. Peter's, St. Mary Broadgate, and St. Mary le Port.

This parish adjoins the western precincts of the Cathedral, and was formerly intersected by a channel of the Severn, now filled up, or at least reduced to a small brook, which falls into the river at the head of the quay. To the latter of these circumstances the first name is owing, (Lode being Saxon for a passage) and all the other names are evidently derived from its local relation to the Abbey..

It is said that this parish, in ancient times, comprehended considerable portions in distant places: as forty-eight houses, with Lawford's gate, at Bristol, some lands at Stow, with the parishes of Lassington, Down Hatherley, and Maisemore. The latter are now independent parishes, and the houses and lands are compleatly separated from it. The hamlets of Tuffley and Wotton, with parts of Kingsholm, Longford, and Twigworth, are now within the parish of St. Mary de Lode, and pay their share of its assessments towards the repair of the church; but all, except the Kingsholm, which